Just wanted to hop in re: the University Group Accelerator program. You are definitely hitting on some key points that we have been strategizing around for UGAP. I just want to clarify a few things:
* We see 25 hours as the minimum amount of time engaging with EA ideas before someone should help start a group. Often times we think it should be more but there have been cases of really great organizers springing up after just an intro fellowship. We have additional screening for UGAP groups beyond just meeting the pre-requisites that dive a bit more into the nuances you mentioned around what high-quality content is.
* UGAP has been very much in beta mode but we are hoping to share the training materials from the upcoming round. :) We would be excited to have people red-team these once they are presentable.
Thanks for responding! I’m actually super excited about UGAP and have already recommended the program to student organizers now that your applications are open (applications are open, people!). I do note that the 25 hour time commitment is for “at least one organizer”, but I also think mentoring will go a long way to make those 25+/- hours count for more. That’s great that you do interviews to determine quality and you clarify what quality content is.
Re: “there have been cases of really great organizers springing up after just an intro fellowship.”
I definitely believe this can happen and am glad you allow for that.
What makes someone seem really great — epistemics, alignment/buy-in, skill in a relevant area of study, __?
Hi Ivy,
Just wanted to hop in re: the University Group Accelerator program. You are definitely hitting on some key points that we have been strategizing around for UGAP. I just want to clarify a few things:
* We see 25 hours as the minimum amount of time engaging with EA ideas before someone should help start a group. Often times we think it should be more but there have been cases of really great organizers springing up after just an intro fellowship. We have additional screening for UGAP groups beyond just meeting the pre-requisites that dive a bit more into the nuances you mentioned around what high-quality content is.
* UGAP has been very much in beta mode but we are hoping to share the training materials from the upcoming round. :) We would be excited to have people red-team these once they are presentable.
Thanks for responding! I’m actually super excited about UGAP and have already recommended the program to student organizers now that your applications are open (applications are open, people!). I do note that the 25 hour time commitment is for “at least one organizer”, but I also think mentoring will go a long way to make those 25+/- hours count for more. That’s great that you do interviews to determine quality and you clarify what quality content is.
Excited to see what comes of it :)
Re: “there have been cases of really great organizers springing up after just an intro fellowship.”
I definitely believe this can happen and am glad you allow for that. What makes someone seem really great — epistemics, alignment/buy-in, skill in a relevant area of study, __?